Another View: Memo to parents: Allow youth coaches to do their job

Coaching at the high school level can be a challenge. Dealing with the kids is usually the easy part. Parents may be a different matter.

Virtually every parent wants to see their children excel at whatever school or extra-curricular activity in which they participate. Many find it difficult to accept that perhaps that area of excellence won't be on the court, field, mat or track.

Sometimes, it gets ugly. Early last week it appeared as if up to five coaches from the Independence School District's girls basketball program would be stepping down. Bullying by some parents was cited.

In an email to The Courier, assistant coach Rob Ratchford said he and head coach Rod Conrad were resigning, and that three others might follow suit.

"Our head coach Rod Conrad resigned his position on (March 6) as a result of parents using bullying in an attempt to get their child more time on the court. Coach Conrad and the rest of the staff have taken a stance that bullying is not allow(ed) in schools and it will not be allowed in the basketball program," Ratchford wrote.

It appears the situation is being worked on and in the process of being smoothed over.

In a statement released Wednesday, the district said that Conrad is considering remaining in his position after meeting with district administrators.

Conrad noted that administrators had moved to "tighten up and improve the parent-coach protocol in our district."

Good for them. We hope this situation is resolved for everyone involved.

Let's face it, this is but a tiny microcosm of a widespread problem and no community is immune. Youth and school sports are just one of those areas where you are apt to witness some incidences where the kids exhibit a bit more maturity that some of the parents.

We are not privy to how exactly things unfolded here. But the fact that - at least at some point - no fewer than five coaches were contemplating severing their coaching ties with the team, speaks volumes. So does the district's stated aim of tightening up the parent-coach protocol.

The overwhelming majority of school sports coaches are in it for the kids, just like teachers. Many of them are teachers. Coaches can leave a lasting imprint on a person's life, imparting lessons in teamwork, hard work and discipline. You don't have to be a star, or even a starter, to reap those benefits.

Ratchford had described angry phone calls before and after games as part of the problem, as well as being approached after games. He stated that he had received a threatening phone call from a parent.

"There was just a bunch of things over the last few years," he said.

The publicity that has ensued has probably grown larger than anyone ever intended or wanted. We're heartened that the administration is looking at taking measures to limit future problems.

Parents have entrusted their children with their particular sports teams and coaches. The next step is allowing the coaches to coach.

--Waterloo-Cedar Falls (Iowa) Courier

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Another View: Memo to parents: Allow youth coaches to do their job

Coaching at the high school level can be a challenge. Dealing with the kids is usually the easy part. Parents may be a different matter.Virtually every parent wants to see their children excel at